C.J. Prosise

Combine Results

Grade

4.48 SEC

35.5 INCH

121.0 INCH

Draft Analysis:

"Prosise is a former wide receiver, and Pete Carroll likes players with unique skill sets. He could be a special back in this league." -- NFL Media analyst Michael Robinson

6'0" Height

32 1/8" Arm Length

220LBS. Weight

8 1/2" Hands

Overview

Prosise excelled in several ways for the Irish during his time in South Bend. Due to a lack of talent at the running back position, he was asked to tote the ball regularly in spring 2015 practices, running for 64 yards at the spring scrimmage. The Irish made him their leading rusher this fall, as he gained 1,032 yards and 11 scores on just 156 carries (6.6 average). Prosise also caught 26 passes and 308 yards and one touchdown -- but that was a role in which he had experience the past couple of seasons. He actually led all Irish receivers with 17.8 yards per reception in 2014 (29-516, two TD) and was also the team's Special Teams Player of the Year (11 tackles) and had a 50-yard rush for a touchdown in the Music City Bowl win over LSU. Prosise was actually recruited as a safety, but moved over to receiver for his redshirt freshman season in 2013, starting three times, catching seven passes for 72 yards.

Pro Day Results

Short shuttle: 4.48 seconds
3-cone: 7.32 seconds

Analysis

Strengths

Has every­-down size for the position. Patient, gliding runner with a sense for when it's time to hit the gas and go. Has late cut ability to create new yards for himself. Has effective open-field spin move to elude and the play strength to power through lesser tackle attempts. Efficient runner between the tackles. Runs with desired pad level maintains balance through contact. Falls forward in his finishing. Has enough play speed to turn the corner as outside runner. Experience as receiver gives him upgraded route ability as running back. Has opportunity to be effective on all three levels as receiver if matchup avails itself.

Weaknesses

Only one year as full-­time running back. Urgency as runner needs an upgrade. Can be slowed waiting for zone-­read mesh­-point, but indecisiveness flowing outside caused some lost yardage. Fumbled five times in 156 carries losing two. Needs to secure the rock against scavengers looking to rip it away at the end of a run. Recognition of blitzes injuries late.

Draft Projection

Round 3

Sources Tell Us

"He's talented and caught all of us off-­guard to start the season. He looks like he has no idea what he's doing at times in protections and that is what could keep him off the field early in his career." -- NFL West area scout

NFL Comparison

Fred Jackson

Bottom Line

Ascending running back prospect with the physical build to handle a workload, the athleticism to create for himself and the hands to keep stacking total yardage up. While Prosise has the acceleration and play strength to fit into an NFL offense, he needs to become a shade more decisive and has to improve in protections if he is to become a three-­down option. Prosise looks like an immediate "committee" runner with future starter potential.